According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the number of cooking fires that occur on Thanksgiving Day is three times the average number of daily cooking fires. It makes sense when you consider the fact that Thanksgiving meals are more complicated than the average meal and for some people Thanksgiving is the only day they do any real cooking. Here are some tips for preventing Thanksgiving fires.
- Make sure your oven and stove are clean before you start cooking.
- Keep decorations, clutter, and anything flammable well away from the oven and stove.
- Dress appropriately. If you’re dressing up for the holiday, remember not to cook with long, loose sleeves, scarves, or dangling jewelry.
- Don’t try to cook in a crowded kitchen. Make it a cooks-only zone. No kids, no pets, and no adults that aren’t directly involved in preparing the food.
- Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave the area have someone keep an eye on the stove or turn it off.
- That also means no running out for last minute items while the turkey cooks in the oven.
- Have a fire extinguisher handy. It should be no more than 10 feet from the stove and on the exit side of the room. Make sure your fire extinguisher is charged and not out of date.
- Never throw water or flour on a grease fire. Use a lid or another pan to smoother it instead. Dumping baking soda or salt on a grease fire can also put it out.
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